I have had chickens for about six months now. I have 1 big rooster and 8 hens and 4 guineas in a large coop. The inside where the boxes are is about 8 foot by ten foot and the yard they have full access too is about 8 foot by 15 to 20 feet. For the first time, last week I noticed one of my hens is sitting on 10 eggs. What do I do?
People I talked to said the rooster and other hens will kill the chicks when they hatch out. Said I have to bring them in and put them in a round box and feed them round the clock. Is this true? How are there so many chickens if they cant raise their own? I really need some advice from someone who has been there and knows what they're talking about. Thanks for any help!
2006-07-23 16:43:33 · 10 answers · asked by hipichick777 4 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Other chickens, especially the rooster, will raise heck with the babies. Is it possible, when they hatch, to keep them apart from the adult birds? Mother hen will do a good job protecting them, so you don't have to worry too much about them. When you keep them in close quarters, that is when you'll have problems. Good luck with you new babies!
Any other questions about this, feel free to send me a message.
It's a common belief that roosters will kill the baby chicks so that it will free the hen up for *ahem* his use again. I've seen it thousands of times, so keep him away from the chicks.
2006-07-23 16:47:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oooh, chicks are so cute when they are hatched. The rooster will not eat the eggs definitely. But I suggest you keep the hen and her eggs on a different location, this will prevent intruders.
Hens can hatch 10-12 eggs depending on their size. But do watch out, there are hens who eat their own eggs. If she is like this. It is not good to breed her. Chicks hatch after 21 days when the hen started incubating them, so you have to be ready with starters (small crumbs that can be bought at poultry supplies) and water with just right amount of vitamins. While the hen is incubating the chicks, she will not leave the nest or box that often. Be sure to have water around and food (whatever you are feeding her). Also, do not try to touch her because she has so many lice during this stage. It's so small you can't even see it. And oh, the best time to check if the eggs are still complete(meaning the hen hasn't eaten any of them) is when the hen comes out of her box to roam around the pen.
I hope you enjoy your chicks when they come out.
2006-07-23 17:11:47 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had chickens raise chicks in the coop without any problems. Just make sure there is plenty of food for all and keep an eye on them. Hens are perfectly capable of raising 10 - 15 chicks on their own.
I don't think if roosters and other hens killed chicks, we would have very many chickens.+
http://www.webelfin.com/chickens/index.html
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chicks.html
Now that I think about it, our chicken were able to run around outside the coop during the day. That may have been why we didn't have a problem. In a coop, it's possible.
2006-07-23 16:47:47 · answer #3 · answered by Evilest_Wendy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have been around chickens my whole life (even tho that realy isnt very long but still i no a lot about them). the other hens should not bother the chicks too much they might chase them a little but i dont think that they would realy hurt them. partly because u dont have too many in there with them and they are in a fairly big area. the rooster might bother them and chase them and posibly peck them so youll have to watch him 4 a while, and the guineas i dont no bout urs but ours arnt all that nice even to the grown chickens so you might also have to watch them. if u can put the mother hen and her chicks in another section away 4m the rooster and guineas fairly easly that might b a good idea. but thoat would or should only b 4 about a week or 2 till the chicks get to b a fair size and get some feathers and should b able to get away if they needed to.
2006-07-23 17:13:16 · answer #4 · answered by my horse is a helmet breaker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave them be. The mother hen will guard them with her life. Maybe some of the other hens as well. The rooster usually could care less. Do not bring them in, they won't be easily accepted back into the coop. But they will be very fine alone with the others.
2006-07-23 16:50:44 · answer #5 · answered by Rayne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hen will lokk afta chicks pretty good. More so squabbling day to day level when problems occur. roosters get stroppy and wil peck at chicks underfoot hens run away at this chicks dont and can be badly hurt killed by a simple go away by rooster. most home chookers seperate babies as other hens tip ova smaller water containers and steal the special ground or finer food that little chicks can eat
2006-07-24 16:23:24 · answer #6 · answered by howie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its best to keep the rooster away from the hens until they are grown enough. many roosters are very territorial and will kill another male to protect his flock. even commercial growers will take the roosters out as they will fight another male. even though the hen lays the eggs, if they are not fertile, they will rot. some are for laying and others for breeding. the hens will take care of the chicks.
2006-07-23 17:01:32 · answer #7 · answered by hollywood71@verizon.net 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check with a co-op and ask them. I have had a few chickens and when babies hatched, I kept the rooster away until the babies had feathers.
2006-07-23 16:58:17 · answer #8 · answered by happybidz2003 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Darling, simply hire yourself a gourmet cheif and order him to prepare you a delicious chicken fried steak topped with gravy. Be sure to demand side dishes and dessert. Enjoy
2006-07-23 17:11:41 · answer #9 · answered by Ashley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
contack your local feed store as you are going to need some chick food anyhow.
2006-07-23 16:53:16 · answer #10 · answered by Ibredd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋